Alkagesta has made an investment in the "Clean Caspian" start-up, an environmental initiative focused on pioneering advanced methods for the containment and neutralisation of oil pollution in marine ecosystems. The project was initially presented to Alkagesta via the GUB Startup Platform, as part of the "Skills for the Future" programme, which showcases technology and research-based solutions from young innovators.
The investment by Alkagesta, as reported by InNews, follows an assessment of the project's scientific validity, environmental benefits, and its role in fostering entrepreneurship among young people in the Caucasus and Central Asia. This support forms part of Alkagesta's broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments and its long-term strategy for applied science in the region.
The "Clean Caspian" project is spearheaded by Narmin Ismayilova and Aynura Mammadova, researchers affiliated with Baku Engineering University, Azerbaijan, and the University of Padova, Italy. Their work addresses the critical issue of oil contamination in the Caspian region's enclosed and ecologically sensitive water bodies, aiming to mitigate the severe impact on oxygen exchange, marine biodiversity, and coastal communities.
The research concentrates on developing environmentally safe and cost-effective coagulants and oil-localising substances to enhance spill response operations. Innovations include biodegradable sorbents, nanomaterial-based collection agents, and advanced containment technologies. A recent development is a chemical solution capable of purifying one tonne of heavily contaminated water with just four grams of substance at low production costs, suggesting significant scalability. Initial laboratory results after two months of research indicate practical potential, with current efforts focused on optimising reagent synthesis and assessing performance.
Alkagesta's involvement in the "Clean Caspian" initiative extends beyond environmental innovation to include supporting the entrepreneurial drive of young scientists in the Caucasus and Central Asian region. This investment reflects Alkagesta's dedication to responsible environmental stewardship, technological progress, and talent development, integral to the company's long-term ESG objectives. Orkhan Rustamov, CEO of Alkagesta, stated that the company is energised by the scientific ambition of young regional researchers, viewing the investment as supporting both environmental progress and the future generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
Sources
- InNews, “Alkagesta Invests in Clean Caspian Environmental Innovation Start-up Project by Young Caucasian Researchers”, 2026-05-27 — innews.az
- Alkagesta — alkagesta.com
